Indexing mechanism



Jan. 25, 1944. 5. J. ENGERT INDEXING MECHANISM Filed Jan. 8, 1943 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 'eo e J52, F5992 1311.25 1944. ENGERT 2,339,986

INDEXING MECHANISM Filed Jan. 8, 1943 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 v l r Inventor Jan. 25, 1944. G. J. ENGERT INDEXING MECHANISM Filed Jan. 8, 1943 5 SheetsShe et 3 5 M i O,

6 20732 Jakw Eager? Patented Jan. 25, 1944 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE LYDEXING MECHANISM George John Engert, Manitowoc, Wis.

Application January 8, 1943, Serial No-471,721

7 (c1. arr-st) 3 Claims.

My invention relates to improvements in index mechanism for use in setting work into different positions preparatory to machine operations thereon.

Theprincipal object of my invention is toprovide simply constructed, easily installed mechanism whereby such work as.-shafts,-for instance, may be quickly and accurately set; into different angular and other positions in ,a milling machine, or the like, for the cutting of keyways in :difierent locations thereon.

Other and subordinate objects'are also comprehended by my invention, all of whichytogether with the precise nature ofmy improvements, will be readily understood when the succeeding description and claims are read with referenceto the drawing accompanying and forming part of the specification.

In said drawings:

Figure 1 is-a view in side elevation of my improved indexing mechanism in its preferred embodiment,

Figure 2 is a View in transverse section taken on the line 22 -of.;Figure 1,

.Figure 3 is a view in plan,

Figure 4 is aview in end elevation,

Figure 5 is a View in longitudinal vertical section taken on the line 55 .of Figure 1, and

Figure 6 is a viewin vertical transverse section taken on the line 6-6 of Figure 1.

Referring 'to the drawings by numerals, the basic elements of my improved indexing mechanism are a pair of substantially rectangular work supports I, 2 adapted to .-be opposed in laterally spaced relation .on the table ,3 of a .milling machine, not shown, and upon opposite ,sides of the milling cutter, not shown, with broad sides facing. Each support, I, 2 embodies a skeleton half section 4 on one side of the vertical transverse center, for reducing weight, and a solid half section 5,, with the exceptions presently noted, on the other side of said center. A pair of slotted bottom lugs 6 extend from opposite sides of the solid half section 5, by means of which, and bolts I extending into one of the usual, longitudinal key grooves 8 in the table 3, said supports may be anchored to said table 3 and ad- Justed into difierent set positions along the same. A similar pair of slotted lugs 9 extending from the sides of the rear half section 4 of each support, I, 2, provide for anchoring said supports to a machine table.

A pair of longitudinally split bushings ID are provided in bores I in the upper portions of the half sections in axial alignment for clampingly engaging a shaft II and are anchored in said bores III as by screws I0. A pair ofsubstantially cylindrical clamping members I2 are slidably mounted in each half section 5 below the bushing Iil in a transverse bore I3 'for adjustment in axial alignment toward each other to engage curved notches I4 therein with the bushing H3130 flex the latter into clamping engagement with the shaft II. The members I2 of each pair are adjustable by means of ,a screw bolt i5 extended through axial bores I5 in said members with one end threaded, as at I6 into the bore of one member and its other .end having a collar I'I thereon bearing against one end of the other member and equipped with a hand lever It secured thereto, as at I9. A pair of key forming screw bolts 2%! turned into one side of each support I, 2 and into keyways 2| in the members I 2, shown by dotted lines in Figure 6, prevents the members I2 from rotating in the bore I3. The members I2 of each pair are urged apart by a coil spring 26 interposed between the pair and surrounding the screw bolt I5, as shown in Figure 6, and for pushing the pair apart to prevent the same from interfering with insertion of bushings I ll.

- An indexing disk 22 having a longitudinally splitclamping hub 23 is provided for clamping on one end of the shaft ll againstv th outer face of the adjacent supports I, 2, said hub having a pair of lugs 2d upon each side thereof arranged for drawing together in pairs by thumb screws 25 to clamp the hub 23 to the shaft .I I. The indexing disk 22 is provided on one face thereof with a circular edge scale .26 graduated in degrees of a circle and numbered appropriately at every ten degrees from oppositesidesof a zero graduation 21 to degree graduation 28.

The scale 26 is designed to be read against a Vernier scale 29 at the top of said disk provided on a plate 30 formed on an arm 3| having an angular elongated base 32 adapted to fit in a fiat bottomed socket 33, one of which is provided in the top of each support, I, 2, to extend lengthwise across the same in vertical alignment with the axis of the bore It. A thumb screw 34 extends through the base 32 for turning into a bore 35, one of which is provided in the bottom of each socket 33.

A flat annular level carrying member 36 is fitted in a circular seat 31 provided in the graduatecl base of the indexing disk 22, said member being rotatable in the disk concentrically about the shaft II for adjustment into different set positions in said disk to correspondingly adjust a spirit level 38 disposed thereon endwise circumferentially of said disk. Thumb screws 39 are provided in the disk 22 for turning against said member 36 to lock the member in adjusted position.

When it is desired to mill or cut a number of keyways. as at 40, 4|, in the shaft ll remote from the ends thereof and in longitudinally spaced and angular relation, the shaft II is clamped adjacent its ends in the holders I, 2 in the manner already described. The index disk 22 is then placed on one end of the shaft H against one support, set into zero position against the Vernier scale 29 and clamped to the shaft, also as previously described. The member 36 is then set in the disk 22 until the spiritlevel 38 indicates level and is then clamped to the disk 22. The first keyway 40 is then out. To cut the second keyway 4!, for example, in 30 degree-30' angular relation to the first keyway 40, the shaft H is released inthe supports I, 2, the index disk 22, together with the shaft II, is rotated in the proper direction to 30 degree-30' reading against the Vernier scale 29, the member 36 reset until the spirit level 38 again indicates level at this setting, the disk 22 and shaft H pulled in the proper direction a distance according to the longitudinal spacing required. The level is then checked, and the shaft H clamped in the supports I, 2. The second keyway 4! is then cut. This procedure is followed for cutting any number of keyways in the shaft.

By attaching the arm 31 in the socket 32 of either support, I or 2, and placing the indexing disk 22 on the adjacent end of the shaft ll, an operator may work from either side of the machine, or in other words, from either end of the shaft H.

The spirit level 38 is utilized as will be understood from the foregoing to prevent loss of degrees or minutes in extending the shaft 1 I, or, in other words, in adjusting the shaft longitudinally.

The foregoing will, it is believed, suffice to im part a clear understanding of my invention without further explanation.

Manifestly, the invention, as described, is susceptible of modification without departing from the inventive concept, and right is herein reserved to such modifications as fall within the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. Indexing apparatus for use on the table of a milling machine or the like to set a shaft in different longitudinal and angular positions relative to the milling tool comprising a pair of supports for opposite ends of the shaft adapted to be fixed to said table and embodying split tubular clamps for the extension of said ends of the shaft therethrough and for flexing against said shaft to clampingly engage the same, manipulative means on each support for flexing said sleeves, a graduated indexing disk for attachment to the shaft, a pointer on one support for cooperation with the graduations on said disk, a spirit level, and means to mount said level on said disk for adjustment circumferentially of the same into different set positions, the last-mentioned means comprising an annular level carrying member rotatable in said disk concentrically thereof.

2. Indexing apparatus for use on the table of a milling machine or the like to set a shaft in different longitudinal and angular positions relative to the milling tool comprising a pair of supports for opposite ends of the shaft adapted to be fixed to said table and embodying split tubular clamps for the extension of said ends of the shaft therethrough and for flexing against said shaft to clampingly engage the same, manipulative means on each support for flexing said sleeves, a graduated indexing disk for attach- 1 ment to the shaft, a pointer on one support for cooperation with the graduations on said disk,a spirit level, and means to mount said level on said disk for adjustment circumferentially of the same into different set positions, the last-mentioned means comprising an annular level carrying member rotatable in said disk concentrically thereof, and devices for clamping the member to said disk. v

3. Indexing apparatus for use on the table of a milling machine or the like, or for layout or inspection purposes, to set a shaft in different longitudinal and angular positions relative to the milling tool, layout or inspection requirements, comprising a pair of supports for opposite ends of the shaft adapted to be fixed to a machine or layout table and embodying split tubular clamps in pairs of varying inside diameters to suit work, for the extension of said ends of shaft therethrough and for flexing against said shaft to clampingly engage the same, manipulative means on each support for flexing said sleeves, a graduated indexing disk for attachment to the shaft, a Vernier setting scale on one support for cooperation with the graduations on said disk, a spirit level and means to mount said level on said disk for adjustment circumferentially of the same into different set positions, the last mentioned means comprising an annular level carrying member rotatable in said disk concentrically thereof, and devices for clamping the member to said disk.

GEORGE JOHN ENGERT. 

